Sparks Fly in SOS Race Over Accusations of Vote Tampering in NEGOP Elections, Antisemitism by Challenger's Supporters

by Matt Johnson

(Photo credit Matt Johnson)

OMAHA — Bob Evnen and Scott Petersen, the two Republican candidates for Secretary of State, are entering the final weeks of their primary campaigns. A split has formed within Nebraska Republicans, as grassroots conservatives side with Evnen and the “old guard” establishment in opposition to Petersen and the “new guard” in the NEGOP.

Allegations of Antisemitism

On Sunday, Congressman Don Bacon shared on his official Twitter account posts calling out two individuals tied to Petersen’s campaign over alleged antisemitic remarks.

“His inner circle spews anti-Semitic views on a regular basis,” Bacon said on Twitter. “What is Petersen’s response and why does he accept this in his campaign? He should denounce this irrational hate.”

One post highlighted by Bacon stated, “The Jews think they are better than us Goyim. It’s just fact. The pro-Israel crowd wants us to base our foreign policy on the lies in the Talmud and Baal worship.”

Another was from former Secretary of State candidate Robert Borer, who wrote while commenting on an Arkansas chapter of TPUSA disassociating from the group: “TPUSA was put on the map by rich Jews who despise real Christians today as much as the Jews in Christ’s day despised Him. Charlie turned away from the Jewish cause (of manipulating our politicians for their gain).”

Bacon also shared a screenshot of a satirical Facebook account titled “Jews for Boob Evnen.”

The Plains Sentinel spoke with Petersen for comment on these allegations, and he rejected any and all allegations of antisemitism on his part.

“Go dig through my 35 years of social media. If you want to call it that you will never find any statement that I’ve said anything derogatory about Jewish people or Israel, you won’t find a thing ever,” Petersen said.

When asked about the individuals called out by Bacon, Petersen said, “Some of the folks you just can’t control. And quite honestly, the bigger picture, a lot of them are just disappointed. They don’t agree with some of the things that Israel’s doing, as far as going to war, and a lot of them aren’t happy with Trump going to war in Iran. And so there’s a lot of challenges there, and so some of them get passionate, and we can’t control that.”

In the end, Petersen sees the attacks from Bacon as a benefit to his campaign.

“Don Bacon has been designated as the attack dog, which quite honestly helps our campaign. My goodness, it’s like a gift. Because I don’t know if you understand, as I roll through rural Nebraska and meet everybody, the third District hates Don Bacon,” Petersen said.

A New Grassroots Divide

The divide has created unexpected alliances in the grassroots GOP. Earlier this month, Nebraskans Against Government Overreach (NAGO)—an organization founded by Allie (French) Bush that rose during the COVID lockdowns and vaccine mandates—endorsed incumbent Evnen over Petersen. This was a 180-degree turn from four years ago, when NAGO endorsed Evnen’s primary challenger, Robert Borer, in 2022.

“Petersen not only didn’t have answers but provided wrong answers on numerous issues,” the group said, citing Petersen’s alleged lack of understanding of the Secretary of State’s statutory duties. “Evnen on the other hand has good working knowledge, was able to bring credible evidence to squelch concerns and provide actual solutions to ongoing risks.”

Don Bacon, who has clashed with NAGO in the past, praised the endorsement: “I’ve bumped heads with NAGO in the past, but their analysis in support of Bob Evnen for Secretary of State and their honest criticisms of Scott Petersen are right on target. We have a Secretary of State doing his job admirably vs a snake-oil salesman who has zero depth.”

“Poor Allie. She’s somehow been corrupted,” Petersen said. “I’m telling you, her members, NAGO members, are my people. If you would poll her members of that NAGO group, I guarantee you, they will align very closely with me and not very closely with Bob Evnen and Don Bacon.”

Conflict Within the NEGOP

In a following post on Monday evening, Allie Bush of NAGO revealed more about the organization’s choice to throw its support behind Evnen. The decision came in part due to what the group viewed as a “fraudulent election” that occurred at the NEGOP State Central Committee meeting Jan. 31. The voting process included a number of substitute delegates in an election for a member-at-large in CD2, many of whom were allegedly not chosen by the delegates they were substituting for and others unaware of for whom they were substituting.

“The Vice Chair of CD2 and Executive Committee member, Scott Petersen was made aware, BEFORE the SCC meeting, and did NOTHING,” NAGO said in a statement. “This fraudulent process allowed for the seating of 15 subs that day within CD2 and determined the outcome they sought to achieve—no accountability.”

The Plains Sentinel spoke with NEGOP chairman Mary Jane Truemper on Tuesday morning.

“A lie can go around Facebook twice at night before the truth gets up in the morning—it was a very passive-aggressive way of handling it,” Truemper said, expressing frustration with the post, which NAGO had already shared with several county parties online. “Allie Bush has not called me to talk to me about it. I would have shared the information. People have been posting that there was no investigation, when there was obviously an investigation, and in fact, I’m pretty resentful of the time I had to spend on it when I would rather be fighting Democrats.”

Truemper said that the process of choosing substitute delegates is not new.

“When I ran for election, back in March of last year, over a year ago, the same process happened,” Truemper said. “I knew that this was happening, but there were people that were trying to select substitutes that would vote against me—and I was very aware of it. And, you know, it’s part of politics.”

Truemper also stated that there was an investigation of the vote afterward which included three attorneys—the rules chairman of the NEGOP, the NEGOP’s general counsel, and an FEC attorney—as well as the treasurer and Truemper herself.

“They don’t like the results of the report, but there was an investigation, and a report that was given to the executive committee,” Truemper said.

Truemper also noted that the full State Central Committee voted to accept the credentialing report before the election, and the CD2 caucus voted to proceed with the election after the substitute delegate concerns were raised. In the end, Truemper said the member-at-large candidate did not have the votes to win either way.

“The vote was not a close vote,” Truemper said. “It was 32 to 18 … I think it’s a case of sore losers, because it didn’t go their way and they don’t like the results. We used to call this a hissy fit.”

Both Sides Prepare for Primary

While most other statewide Republican incumbents are uncontested this year, the Secretary of State race has emerged as the most aggressive intra-party contest. Petersen has raised nearly $75,000 since launching his bid, with over $50,000 cash on hand, while Evnen raised $95,000 and reported more than $175,000 cash on hand.

As the final moments of the campaign approach, both sides are touting their endorsements within the party. Petersen is promoting support from many of the GOP county parties, while Evnen boosts support from elected GOP officials, including Bacon and Governor Jim Pillen.

The primary election is May 12, with early voting already underway.

— Matt Johnson is a freelance reporter with The Plains Sentinel.